Surgical appliance.



J. L. SAUTERS.

SURGICAL APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION LED JULY 18; 1913. I 1,1 86,043. Patented June 6,1916.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I;

J a e 7712 ,d a #671 Q 1 WW 9 J. L. SAUTERS.

SURGICAL APPLIANCE.

Patented June 6, 1916.

3 SHEETS SHEET 2.

J. L. SAUTERS.

SURGICAL APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION HLED JULY 18. 1913.

Patented J 11119 6, 1916.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co., \VASHINGTON. D. c.

JOSEPH L. SAUTERS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SURGICAL APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J 111196, 1916.

Application filed July 18, 1913. Serial No. 779,791.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH L. SAUTERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State .of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Surgical Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to a splint adapted to embrace a portion of the body for the purpose of assisting in the operation of knitting together broken bones.

The objects of the present invention are to provide a splint of metallic construction formed of a series of elements which are capable of adjustment with respect to one an other, to vary the size of the splint as a whole, thereby enabling the splint to be adjusted to fit the various sizes and builds of different persons.

A further object of the invention is to form a splint made in two sections, WlllCll sections are pivoted to permit of a relative movement with respect to one another in a transverse direction, and to provide means for locking the sections in such transverse adjusted position.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for shifting the point of pivotal connection between the sections, whereby the longitudinally angular relation between the sections may be changed.

A further object of the invention is to so arrange the elements of the various sections as to allow them to be opened up for the purpose of positioning the splint in place.

A further object of the invention 1s to provide auxiliary plates or members to create additional pressure at a particular locality.

A further object of the invention is to provide certain auxiliary attachments, and to provide means for securing the attachments to the body of the appliance, which attachments are adapted to perform certain added functions in bone setting operations.

The invention further consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a. plan view of the appliance of the present invention, showing by means of dotted lines thesections shifted to an opposite position of longitudinal angularity; Fig. 2 a side elevation of the part shown in Fig. 1, and showing by means of dotted lines, the sections moved to a different position of transverse angular adjustment; Fig. 3 an elevation showing the elements of the sections in open position and showing the appliance in proper condition to be placed in position; Fig. 4- a cross sec tion through one of the sections showing in dotted lines two of the elements thrown to open position; Fig. 5 a detail showing the pivotal connection between the two sections; Fig. 6 a vertical section of the parts shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a sectional detail showing the locking means for holding the sections in transverse angular adjustment; Fig. 8 a cross section on line 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. '9 a detail showing a modified means for moving and locking the sections-in their transverse angular adjustment movements. Fig. 10 an end view of the parts shown in Fig. 9; Fig. 11 a detail of one of the pressure plates;

and Fig. 12 a section through one of the pressure plates and the locking means there- The present invention relates, as previously stated, to a surgical appliance in the nature of a splint, which is to embrace a portion of the body to assist in the knitting together of broken bones or for other analogous purposes. The form of splint so commonly used is in the nature of a plaster cast which is bound to the patient by means of bandages. There are several objectionable features to the use of a cast; the first is that it compresses the flesh about that portion of the body to which it is secured to such an extent as to cause a swelling of the flesh beyond the termini of the cast.

A further objectionable feature lies in the difficulty in removing the cast and applying a new one, and in the inability to treat a wound which may be present adjacent the point of bone breakage.

The present invention deals with a splint of metallic structure which is light and whichis capable of the required adjustment to render it of practical universal use, that is, it can be adjusted to suit almost any condition which may be present.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the device as there illustrated, consists of a body portion 11 formed of two sections 12 and 13, of open work metallic formation. The section 12 comprises four open work metallic elements designated by the numeral 14, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3, and the section 13 comprises i'our open work metallic elements designated by the numeral 15, as more clearly shown in Fig. 3. It is understood, however, that the number of elements and sections may be varied in accordance with the idea of the manufacturer, provided the invention'is maintained within the scope of the appended claims.

The appliance illustrated, is intended to be used as a splint to embrace an arm, although the splint may be so formed as to be capable of use upon other portions of the body, if it is so desired. The sections 12 may be termed the lower section, and the section 13 may be termed the upper section. The section 12 is adapted to embrace that portion of the arm lying below the elbow, and the section 13 is adapted to embrace that portion of the arm lying above the elbow. Each of the sections as shown is cutaway as at'16, (Fig. 1) to provide an opening 17 (Figs. 1 and between the same upon the upper side thereof. The sections are only cut away for a part of their adjacent extremities, as will be understood "from Fig. 2, and opposite to the cut away portion a series of fingers 19 project from the adjacenteX- tremities of the sections which fingers intermesh, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thus allowing the sections to bend and at the same time forming a rest or protection for the elbow. ihe cut away portion 16' is necessary in order to permit the arm to be bent as may be desired when the splint is attached.

The sections are pivotally connected to one another by pivotal members'18 which are arranged approximately centrally of the opening 17; the pivotal members'18 form the centers about which the sections are swung, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 2. This movement may be termed a transverse an gular adjustment between the sections, since the sections are moved in a plane transversely thereof during such adjustment. This term is used, however, more for descriptive purposes than otherwise.

Means are provided for locking th'e'sections in such adjusted position, and the meansillustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, consist of a rod 20 pivoted intermediate of its length as at 21, and the ends ofthe rod pass through lugs 22, which lugs have a swivel connection with the section, as shown more clearly in Fig. 8; that is the lugs are held to the sections by means of a pivot pin 23. The rod 20 is provided with a series of holes 24 (Figs. 2, 7 and 9) and set screws 25are provided which have a bearing in the lugs 22 and are arranged, when properly positioned, to engage any selectedlone of'the holes 24:, and thus effect a locking action to maintain the sections in adjusted posi tron. When 1t-1s desired to move the sect1ons} tracted from engagement with the rod 20, and the sections moved as desired, the rod moving backward or forward through the lugs 22 during such adjusting movements. Thus by means of the parts above described the various sections of the splint. can be so arranged as to hold the arm in any bent position desired.

In Figs. 9 and 10, is illustrated a modification of the locking device previously de scribed, in which modification the pivoted rod 20 is provided with threaded ends 26, and the rods'extendthrough lugs 27, each of which is provided with an elongated slot 28. By referring to Fig. 9 it will be seen that these lugs are arranged in pairs,

and lying intermediate the lugs is a knurled thiunb wheel 28 having a threaded interior meshing with the threads 26 on the rod. Obviously as the thumb wheel is rotated the rod 20 will be retracted, and there bent about'its pivotal center so as to force the sections into various angular positions.

Adjustable locking means'are provided for holdingtogether the elements of which the .various sections are composed. These lookingmeans are more clearly shown perhaps in Fig. 4, and each consist of a pivoted threaded stem 29, which is pivotally' attachedto-a lug 30, two of the stems being providedforeach element and one of the lugs being provided for each element. The

pivotal connection between the stems and 7 close locked positon.

In order to adjust the elements to make the sections'of a different transverse dimen sion, all that is required is a manipulation of the thumb nuts 32 to force them in or out along the. stems 29, such adjustment increasing or decreasing the distance which separates the elements. thus adjusting the sec tion so as to accommodate a small or large arm as desired. When the splint is to be placed in position one of the thumb nuts, indicated by the numeral. 34., is swung en tirely'out of locking position as shown by dotted'lines in Fig. 4, such swinging movement being made possible by forming a slot 35 in the lug 33 with which this thumb nut 34 is associated. hen the thumbnut 34: and stem 29 are swung outward, as shown by dotted lines inFig. 4:, the sections previously heldin locked position by the thumb about the pivot 18, the set screws 25 are re-Mnut' 34c'an b'eswung into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, thus the sections can be opened out, as shown in Fig. for the purpose of placing the arm therein.

By referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that each of the elements of each of the sections is of open work formation com prising a series of bars 36 and openings 37. This is an important point, since it allows of an expansion of the flesh where the splint is applied so as to not cause a swelling beyond the termini of the splint, and it has a further advantage in that it allows of the treating of a wound which may be present at the place where the splint is applied.

By referring to Fig. 1, it will be noticed that the upper section 15 lies at a slight longitudinal angle with respect to the section 1%. This is necessary in order to have it properly embrace an arm. In the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1 the sections are arranged to embrace the left arm, while in the position shown in dotted lines the sections are arranged to embrace the right arm.

The terms longitudinal angle and longitudinal angularity are used for descriptive purposes to describe a relative angularity in a direction lengthwise of the elements. The method of moving the sections from one position of longitudinal angularity to the other is brought about by providing two pivotal centers through the lugs or cars 38 extend ing from the sections 12 and 13. These cen ters designated 39 and 10 are more clearly shown in Fig. 5 and either one is adapted to receive the pivotal member 18.

If the pivotal member 18 on one side, is lying in the upper opening 39, and the pivotal member 18 on the opposite side is lying in the lower opening 10, the parts will be placed in one position of longitudinal angularity, and when it is desired to shift this position the relative position of the members 18 are reversed; that is the member 18 lying in the upper opening 39 is placed in the lower opening 40, and the member 18 lying in the lower opening a0 is placed in the upper opening 39. By this arrangement the splint can be adjusted so as to be fitted on either the right or left arm, which together with its adaptability as to transverse area or size renders it of practically universal application.

In cases of bone fracture where a diagonal fracture is found, it assists materially in the knitting operation, to provide an auxiliary pressure plate to put across the point of fracture. To provide for cases of this kind lugs or ears a1 are formed on the elements of the sections 12 and 13, and through these ears is placed a threaded opening 42, adapted to receive the threaded portion of athumb nut 48. Auxiliary pressure plates 4A: are provided, which are intended to lie upon the inside of the elements and these plates are formed with recesses 45, which as shown in Fig. 12, do not extend clear through the same. These recesses receive the ends d6 of the thumb nuts 43. Of course any other suitable means may be employed for securing these auxiliary pressure plates in position. These pressure plates, as stated, lie upon the inside of the elements, and when placed in position will extend across and overlie a diagonal fracture. The plates of course may be positioned when any other cause arises which requires additional pressure at a particular locality.

Various auxiliary attachments are provided, which are removably secured to the body of the appliance. One of these attachments shown in Figs. 1 and 2 consists of a member e7, turned up at one end 48, to provide a grip for the hand, so that when the splint is placed upon an arm, the wearer may clasp his hand over the end 48, and thus prevent the hand from contracting during the time the splint is in place. This attachment may be termed a hand supporting attachment. Suitable removable locking members 49 are provided for maintaining this attachment in place upon the body of the appliance. This particular attachment is attached t the lower end of the section 12.

To the upper end of the section 13 is attached a shell-like member 50 of a concave formation which is adapted to embrace the shoulder of the wearer, for the purpose of taking care of any fracture which might be present at this point. This attachment may be termed a shoulder embracing attachment. Suitable detachable locking members 51- are provided for securing this attachment in place. It is understood that the particular shape of these attachments may be varied to meet the requirements for. which they are intended, and the invention as a whole is not limited in any other way save by the terms of the appended claims. The elements are so arranged whereby they may be opened up without destroying the adjustment of the locking members previously made to obtain the correct size. One of the stems 29 is shown as fixed to the lug 30 with which it is associated. One of the stems, namely that associated with the thumb nut 34 is made to swing entirely out from the lug with which it is associated, and the remaining locking members for the elements are so formed as to permit of a slight rocking movement, thus when the thumb nut 34 is loosened all of the elements can be swung backward to open up the appliance.

I claim:

1. An appliance of the class described, comprising an upper metallic section and a lower metallic section, a pivotal connection between the sections, said sections being cut away at one side at the point of juncture, to provide an opening therebetween at said point, fingers extending from the sections and lying opposite said openings, said fingers extending from the sections and lying opposite said openings, said fingers intermeshing and providing a backing at this point, substantially as described.

2. An appliance of the class described comprising a plurality of metallic elements, a connection between said elements consisting of a pivoted threaded stem on one of the elements arranged to extend through a lug on the next adjacent element. a nut on said stem adapted to engage said lug, said connection enabling a relative adjustment between the elements, a portion of said connections acting as hinges to permit an opening and closing of the appliance, one of said lugs having a slot extending to the edge thereof t permit the stem associated therewith to act as a latch member for holding tile appliance closed and another of said stems arranged on the opposite side of the appliance from the stem last mentioned being locked against any pivotal action, substantially as described.

3. An appliance of the class described comprising a plurality of metallic elements, a connection between said elements for tying them together, each of said connections consistin of a threaded stein pivoted to one of the elements and arranged to extend through a lug on the next adjacent element and a nut onsaid. stem adapted to engage the lug with which the stem is associated whereby the distance which adjoining edges of adjacent elements are spaced apart may be varied, and said connections further acting as hinges to permit an opening out of the sections of the appliance, substantially as described. 4. An appliance of the class described, comprising a plurality of metallic elements, a connection between said elements for tying them together, each of said connections consisting of a stem pivoted to one of the elements and arranged to extend through a lug on the next adjacent element, and an adjustable member on said stem adapted to engage the lug with which the stem is associated, whereby the distance whlch the adjoining edges of adjacent elements are spaced apart may be varied, and said connections further acting as hinges to permit an opening out of the sections of the appliance, substantially as described.

JOSEPH L. SAUTERS.

lVitnesses:

VVILLIS D. BEAMER, M. P. BOND.

fiepies 02 this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by aduressing the Commissioner of Eaten.

Washington, I G. 

